The hidden room

* Henry's parent three storey building *

Veronica and Liam walked inside. He needed a lot of descriptions to get to the place. He almost got lost so his sister came to pick him up. Liam greeted Henry and his family. He could notice the tension in the house as everyone was silent.

"I'll just say this because I'm an honest person. Are we a joke to you? Are you guys looking down on us because you are well to do?" Mrs. Judy informed a conversation. She is well-spoken because she's a judge.

"Excuse me?" Liam blinked.

"It looks like it. This two have been together for five years and there is nothing to show for it. Absolutely nothing! Looks like my son wasted those years! I want to see the two married and bear my grandchildren. Is that too much to ask?" She replied.

"Ahhh, Honey" he tried to caution his wife but it fell deaf ears. She was the head of the family. Henry smiled as his mother spoke. That didn't give Liam a good impression of him.

"Ma'am, these years have seen my sister in a completely different light. She does everything in her power to prove her love for your son so our grandma will approve of the union but I think I'm the problem here. Our grandma believes the oldest should get married first. I'll try to make that happen this year to lay the path for my sister. I assure you this union isn't a waste of time" he said, reassuringly.

"I'm reassured now. Let's have dinner" she stood up and they had dinner together. Liam didn't see the true love and care he was expecting from them. Maybe it's because his strict mother is here but if someone truly cares you will see it every minute he spends with that person.

Why does it feel like Veronica is forcing herself into this family?

I must be thinking too much, Liam thought.

We were home already. Veronica stepped down from car and knocked the window for him to wind down "Thanks for today"

"Mm" was the only thing I said.

"Are you not coming in?" She asked, sadly.

"Mm" I replied again. Veronica is hiding something.

She wanted to go but turned back "Are you really going to get married this year or you were lying to calm her down?"

"I wasn't lying. I'll go to all the blind date Mum arranges from now till I find my catch" he reassured her even though he didn't think I could do that.

"Thanks again. I'll go in now" she wanted to go in when he asked.

"Veronica, are you happy?" He could see right through her she wasn't after her happiness but after getting married.

"Huh? Ah, yes. Definitely I'm happy" she stuttered.

"That's all I want. Go in" Liam watched as she went in and he drove off.

"Stupid" Veronica watched him leave. How could he leave her to be on her own for years, then starts to act like a caring older brother. If only she could spill what was in her heart. She wanted to vent out on someone but who? Who will understand her and help her get out of the shell she built for herself? I feel so weak and tired forcing myself into the place I'm not wanted, she thought.

Veronica went into their five storey villa and saw her mom on the second floor living room.

"Where have you been? Why are you just coming home?" she inquired, authoritatively.

"I went to my friend birthday party. Liam was there also. He dropped me off" she replied, respectfully which was unlike her.

"Really? Where is he?" She looked outside through the solid glass doors.

Veronica informed her, weakly "He left"

"He left? Just like that without saying!" She badly wanted to see her son. She doesn't know why he has been keeping his distance from the family.

"Your son is irresponsible! He doesn't even care about his family" Grandma flipped through the magazine, angrily.

"That's right! He told me he had exams throughout this week" Mum tried to cover up for him.

"You think I don't keep tabs on him? I have eyes and ears in that college. He has nothing important in school this week. Tell him to come home" she ordered Mum. Even when she knows Liam will never act against his will. He will show up only when he wants to even if there's a storm at home.

"Mum, I'll leave you now. I'm tired" Veronica couldn't stand this anymore. A normal family will ask "How was your day?", "Did the party go well?" and so on but what was she expecting from her nonchalant family. She prays inwardly to get lose from their ropes very soon and get married to Henry, the one who makes her life colorful.

"But you could've told him to say hello...." Her mum wanted to start again but Veronica didn't listen anymore and went straight to her room on the third floor.

* Amiyah *

As I walked in the dimly lit study, surrounded by shelves of old books, I finally had the chance to investigate. My fingers trembled as I inputted the passcode, 811999, the day my parents died, and my birthday. The door creaked open, revealing a hidden room.

How could they use that date as a passcode?! They keep showing me that they were animals in human flesh.

Inside, I found a black table with drawers containing a burner phone, a bloodied document, and multiple phones. My mind raced as I tried to make sense of it all. Suddenly, the burner phone rang, and I hesitated before answering.

* College *

Ana was going to her very last lecture for the day when she was stopped by Lisa who jumped in her way.

"Oh my God!" Ana was out of breath.

"Sorry," she apologized.

"Why did you jump in my way? Or not that. Who are you?" She asked, trying to catch breath into her lungs.

"My name is Lisa. I attended classes with Amiyah once. The day she resumed" she informed, happily.

"Oh...you're one of Amiyah's"

"Mmm. We are not that close. She missed school for some weeks now. By any chance, do you know what happened to her. She isn't ill, is she?"she inquired.

"She had an accident. A major one, a head injury. She will resume next week. She said she's fine and she can handle it. I was so scared during the accident but she really did it. The Amiyah I know never gives up" she replied.

"She sees it to the end" Lisa added.

"Wait... How do you find me? This is my first time seeing you. I don't think we have a class we take together" she asked.

"I don't think do. Actually, I saw you two talking the other day. So, I looked all the nooks and crannies of this school for you" she smiled.

She is a pretty good person. Amiyah has good people around her so why did she try to kill herself? I'll makes sure I ask her soon. I just can't contain my curiosity any longer, she thought.

"I have to leave now. Bye, Lisa" she waved Lisa goodbye and Lisa waved back.

"Oh, I forgot to ask for Amiyah's phone number. Foolish me" Lisa sucked her teeth.

* Back in the Villa *

"Ding! Ding!! Ding!!!" The burner phone rang. This was a chance of a lifetime for me.

"Hello" The husky voice on the other end spoke of a payment and a job done.

"What is going? I didn't receive my full payment. Don't tell me I didn't do my job right. I could've finished her up in the hospital but you insisted on letting her live so pay me in full. We should meet at LC park on the fifteenth of next month. Hello. Hello" My heart raced as I realized they were talking about me. I felt surge of adrenaline and locked the door, determined to uncover the truth.

I'll go to LC park at the fifteenth of nextmonth. I should get ready.